Dr. Catherine Shaffer

Feature Writer

Ph.D

Life Sciences, Cell Biology

Catherine Shaffer is a freelance science and health writer from Michigan. She has written for a wide variety of trade and consumer publications on life sciences topics, particularly in the area of drug discovery and development. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry and began her career as a laboratory researcher before transitioning to science writing. She also writes and publishes fiction, and in her free time enjoys yoga, biking, and taking care of her pets.

Articles from Catherine

Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) Complications and Prognosis

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a sudden bleed in the brain tissue or ventricles. It carries a high rate of death or functional disability. ICH can be caused by a malformation of blood vessels, blood clotting disorders, cancer, hypertension, and other diseases or injuries affecting the blood vessels.

11 Jan 2017

Roundworm Transmission from Pets to Humans

Roundworm infection, or toxocariasis, is a zoonotic disease — a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Dogs and cats are the definitive hosts for the roundworm species that commonly cause human disease.

10 Jan 2017

Management of Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a type of stroke caused by sudden bleeding in the brain. Only approximately 15% of strokes are due to ICH, but it is one of the most disabling types of strokes to suffer from, with a high rate of morbidity and mortality.

10 Jan 2017

Causes of Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is sudden, catastrophic bleeding that occurs in the brain tissue or ventricles. Symptoms may be sudden and severe, such as headache, loss of consciousness, or vomiting, but can also be milder, resembling ischemic stroke.

9 Jan 2017

Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH)

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is sudden, catastrophic bleeding that occurs in the brain tissue or ventricles. It usually results from damage to blood vessels due to hypertension. Symptoms are often sudden and severe. Loss of consciousness, vomiting, and headache are all common, but milder presentations are also possible, resembling ischemic stroke.

6 Jan 2017

Ringworm Prevention

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin that causes an itchy rash, frequently on the groin or hands. Contrary to its name, it is not caused by a worm. It is caused by one of three species of fungus: trichophyton, microsporum, and epidermophyton. It is highly contagious and can be spread by contact with infected people and animals, and also from spores in the soil.

22 Dec 2016

What are Cadherins?

Cadherins are a group of proteins that help cells stick together. They are the main components of certain types of junctions between cells. These connections help define how a cell will be integrated into a structure, like a layer of skin or an organ.

19 Dec 2016

Sources of Iron

Iron is a necessary mineral for the functioning of the body. It is estimated that around 20% of women, 3% of men, and 50% of pregnant women are iron deficient. Symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, pallor, and cravings for non-food items like ice or dirt.

30 Nov 2016

Iron Functions in the Body

Iron performs many important functions in the body. It is primarily involved in the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to tissues. However, iron also plays a role in metabolism as a component of some proteins and enzymes.

30 Nov 2016

What Happens if You Take Too Much Iron?

Iron is an essential mineral in the diet, and is a crucial component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Dietary iron is present in two forms. Heme iron is bound within a ring-shaped molecule called porphyrin. It is found mainly in red meat. Non-heme iron is found in both plants and animals. Its absorption is aided by vitamin C.

29 Nov 2016